Ayanbadejo to host "Monday Night football" party for same-sex marriage

Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon and former first daughter Barbara Bush are among an extremely long list of celebrities set to appear at a fundraiser for Maryland's same-sex marriage law. The event will be atop the James Hotel in New York City in mid-September. Tickets start at $250. The Free State is one of four where same-sex marriage is on the ballot this year. No state has ever upheld gay nuptials at the ballot box, however polling (funded by a gay rights group) shows Marylanders are open to the idea. Here's a look at some of the celebrities scheduled to attend.--Annie Linskey Read more on the Maryland Politics blog.

Annie Linskey

The latest evidence that Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo won't be muzzled about his support for same-sex marriage: He is hosting a Monday Night football party for the cause.

Gov. Martin O'Malley this morning applauded Ayanbadejo for "tackling the issue" (O'Malley's pun, not ours), and plans to join. The party is set for Oct. 8 at Mother's Federal Hill Grille in Baltimore.

The football player has been a longtime supporter of same-sex marriage, but received a flood of attention after Baltimore County Del. Emmett Burns, a Democrat, tried to stop him from talking publicly about the issue. The delegate softened his position after a national outcry that included a scathing and obscenity laced letter from Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe.

On Nov. 6, Marylanders will vote on a new law allowing gays to marry. Should the referendum pass, the first weddings would be Jan. 1, 2013.